Who is Joe Kitsch?

It is the alias, or brush name, for a conceptually-oriented pop artist.  Image is a matter of editing.  A person will formulate their image to others all the time whether they realize it or not; Joe Kitsch wants to be up front about his emulation as an artist. 

The name says it all… “Joe” is a slightly above average kind of guy.  Although it does not beat the name “John,” which is the most popular in name usage and commonality, “Joe” has an almost higher standard associated with it.  “Johns” are referred to as patrons of prostitutes and “John Doe” is the name of a deceased person who cannot be identified.  “Joe,” on the other hand, has better associations.  There’s “G.I. Joe,” an All-American Hero, and, better known to his immediate family and closest friends as Joe, there’s Joseph, professional carpenter and step-father of Jesus Christ.  (Does it get any better than that?) As its lowest reference, there’s “Joe Schmoe,” just your average guy.

“Kitsch” is pretentious bad taste, especially in the arts, or something that exemplifies kitsch.  Come to think of it, on some level ALL ART IS KITSCH.  The thing that makes a distinction within itself is quality; what makes some kitsch better than other kitsch is what one puts into it, mentally and physically.  To further this idea, kitsch is not unlike people.  With people, there are sociological distinctions, such as nationality and sexual preference, and physical distinctions, such as race and gender.  Strip that all away and the only thing left is human beings.  The distinction between people, like kitsch, is their qualities.

What does he do?

Joe Kitsch makes object oriented art, such as paintings and sculptures, in a wide variety of media.  He utilizes the language of Eclectic Post-Modernism and the act of appropriation.  He feels a connection between the materials used to make the art work and the image it produces have an important role in the final conveyed message.

Joe Kitsch began his graduate studies in painting, but his concerns became less about that medium and more about other things.  In theory, he was a sculpture major, but the funny thing was: he hardly sculpted.  It was not that he could not sculpt in the style of Michelangelo or Donald Judd it was just… a lot easier to hire someone who really enjoys doing that type of work.  Much like Judd did and Jeff Koons does.

Art is the idea.  Too much emphasis is placed on the medium an artist is working with as THE focus.  A medium is a tool, not the art.  Although it is important to have a high quality finished product, the finished work is only an illustration of an idea the artist had.

When has he been doing this?

Joe Kitsch has been representing a sense of reality since 1999.

Where is Joe Kitsch?

He currently resides in the Greater Boston area and is actively showing throughout New England and New York.  He shows his work on his web site, www.JoeKitsch.com, and most recently has joined Agora Gallery’s family of artists.

Why does he do it?

He explores issues of identity, being and unity-at-large.  Although he realizes his work will not make the world a better place, through it he could at least try to spread the love around.